Every sport has its superheros, and fencing is no exception. One fencing hero is usually placed among the greatest fencers in the last 100 years: Romankov.
In July 2003, Jeff Harman attended the United States Fencing Association's Coach's College. Created with the goal of improving American fencing by improving its fencing coaches, the Coach's College is staffed by the best fencing talent available. Jeff's account follows:
Fencing has a long, bloody history, and non-fencers frequently assume it remains dangerous. The modern Olympic sport of fencing, however, is one one of the safest sports to be found. Safety is rigorously monitored, in part to overcome public misconceptions, and equipment standards are boosted almost annually.
The sword as a weapon in personal disputes or in the grander scheme of battle is largely a thing of the past. It has moved into the realm of theatrical or sport fencing. These fields are dominated by men but the sword now has it's place in the heart of many fair damsels who undertake to learn the art of fencing. These ladies when reading about the history of fencing, which is in large part the history of disputes of one kind or another, will find, to their dismay, few references to women who were adept at swordplay.
There are many methods of learning fencing, but only one will make you a champion.
You can teach yourself, by reading a book. You can mirror an instructor by joining a class. You can hone your skills against other students in group drills. You can do a combination of all three, and then season yourself in local tournaments.
But you will only excel if you take lessons from a fencing instructor.
